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“We now have a vaccine available which can help protect your rabbit which is separate to the Myxomatosis and VHD1 vaccine.”

There are two strains of RVHD, known as RVHD1 and RVHD2. Both strains are lethal and you must vaccinate to protect your rabbits. It is known as rabbit haemorrhage disease.

The virus can be caught from other infected rabbits.

And the risk of spreading it is at it's highest where there are a lot of rabbits in one place such as rabbit shows, rescue centres, boarding kennels, or in houses with gardens that wild rabbits visit.

The RHDV2 can also be present in rabbits that are carrying the infection but are not showing signs of the disease. They could be incubating or fighting the disease so they are infectious to rabbits they come in contact with. Only a few virus particles are needed to infect another rabbits so infection can be transmitted by cages, carriers, food bowls or bedding that have been used by infected rabbits.

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Due to the lack of obvious symptoms, owners often do not realise their rabbit has an infectious disease and this results in:

The rabbit not being given treatment early enough.

Precautions not being taken to contain the infection.

Both strains of RVHD are spread by direct contact with infected rabbits, or indirectly via their urine or faeces. The viruses can survive for months in the environment, and are terrifyingly easy to bring home to your pets. They survive cold very well.

Both strains of RVHD have been recorded all over the UK. All pet rabbits should be vaccinated against both strains.